dracher
This film could have been compared to Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels if it had been good enough, as it is; I believe that those who made the comparison did so without thinking. Stickmen is very nearly a first rate film, and overall, it is a very entertaining piece with excellent physical casting, in fact, the look in general, is brilliant. So where did it go wrong? The story is a good yarn building (eventually) to a good climax and dénouement, but it lacks in the telling, and presents itself more as a collection of anecdotes than a thread of narrative or story line. As I said, the physical casting is brilliant, but not all the cast can act well and much direction needed to ground the performances of the leading men simply wasn't there, the performances were also uneven, with one or two actors so obviously more gifted than the rest, and one so much so that he was almost a solo performance, overall, the women were ahead of the men in acting skills. The production values and the camera work were generally fine, but occasionally over the top, this mistake again contributed to the films unevenness. I believe that the team responsible should learn from this nearly great film and forge ahead with a sequel or a film of similar style allowing time and energy to be spent on better scripting and upon lifting individual performance and developing better cohesion between the actors.
dancerguy
This is a film to see. While not very deep it has some great scenes, if only for their visual aspect. A great little story about three men looking to make their mark in the world of stick-ball. However, they get caught up in the world of the mob. Action, sex, and pool; what more could you ask for. It is well put together and gives two hours of entertainment. Don't miss out on your chance to watch this film. It may not be very profound, but quality acting and a good director make this a fun film to watch. They may want to look for a new writer, but this production crew has some great ideas. Look for more good movies to be coming out of these people. I will be watching all of them. You should too.
jezzacla
Rather than the Lockstock comparisons (con-tricks in a seedy pub-world of nicknames and an eccentric Mr. Big villain), I was more worried about this film becoming a kiwi take on Doug Lihman's "Swingers" - this worry compounded by the match-cutting of a pool ball been potted and a couple reaching orgasm in the opening minutes of the film.The visual flashiness and misogynistic small-talk soon subsides and the film becomes a rather sweet sport-film (underdogs in the tournament of their lives, betrayal, self-doubt, physical incapacity before 'big game' etc.). The acting certainly helps, as does the novelty of each pool team representing a deliberately cartoonish tribal-stereotype (similar to the fun of the various 'gangs' in Walter Hill's "The Warriors").The makers show they are a clever bunch making a competent mass market film that veers the right side of indulging rather than insulting the viewer's intelligence. (I especially liked the underplayed fact that if the stickmen win the final it will give the pub-landlord money to do up their seedy watering-hole and turn it into the sort of flashy pub they hate!)60 out of 82.
johnd-18
This film has to be one of the all time best from us Kiwi's. It has managed to wrap comic material with menace and poolhall excitement in a great entertainment package. I hope it does enormously well on the international stage - it deserves to.
AD
